Magennis double ends Northern Ireland’s frustration in San Marino

Northern Ireland’s Josh Magennis scores the first goal of the game in their win against San Marino.
Photograph: Presseye/INPHO/Rex/Shutterstock

Northern Ireland are on the threshold of securing second place in their World Cup qualifying group after beating San Marino 3-0 here to record their fourth successive victory, an unprecedented run. It took them 70 minutes to break down their opponents but then they scored three in nine minutes, two through Josh Magennis and the third from a Steven Davis penalty.

Defeats for Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic, by Norway and Germany respectively, ensured Michael O’Neill’s side increased their advantage in second place to seven points with three games to play, meaning a draw against the Czechs on Monday will seal that position and a possible play-off berth for the finals in Russia.

With that prize inching ever closer, there was plenty of tension as they were frustrated for long periods against the country ranked 204th in the world, whonever won a competitive game and had conceded 30 goals in their previous six games.

But once Magennis broke the deadlock with 20 minutes to go, a further two goals soon followed to maintain a winning run that dates back to the success over Norway in March and includes June victories over Azerbaijan and New Zealand.

O’Neill had instructed his players to treat this contest as if they were facing the world champions Germany in Belfast in October. The Windsor Park pitch will likely be in far better condition than the one in Serravalle too, with a cut-up surface causing more issues for the visitors despite their dominance of possession. As a team they are unused to this, with set pieces far more their bread and butter.

Davis volleyed wide from a Chris Brunt corner cleared out to him while Magennis and Oliver Norwood both directed headers off target from set pieces.

Norwood looked most likely to unlock a back five that was supplemented by the other five outfield players and he fed Lafferty, who rounded the goalkeeper, Aldo Simoncini, but was pushed too wide.

The Hearts forward’s chip to the back post did not reach Conor Washington and, though the attack was kept alive by Norwood again, two San Marino defenders diverted Davis’ effort over the top.

It was still goalless at half-time after Washington missed a glorious opening and Magennis’s header came back off a post, and O’Neill was growing increasingly tetchy as San Marino held firm. Games against minnows used to be this team’s achilles heel and it looked as if it might be one of those nights when Simoncini brilliantly denied Magennis on the line. But the ball was kept alive by Davis and he coolly squared for Magennis to ease the tension.

The Charlton man was on hand again to add a second when nodding in from Washington’s squared ball across and the travelling Green and White Army thought a player that had scored only one international goal before was on course for a hat-trick when Alex Gasperoni handled in the area. But the captain and regular penalty taker Davis assumed responsibilities and wrapped up the points.

“It was a tricky game,” Magennis told Sky Sports after the victory. “It’s always good to score and win the game, especially on pitches like this. When you’re playing up front you need to stay in the box and the chances will come and it’s up to you to put them away. I managed to get a double which is fantastic. But the result is the most important thing.

“We came into the campaign on the back of the Euros and everyone was asking whether we could do it again. Monday is going to be massive, especially in front of our fans at Windsor Park. It’s going to be rocking.”